23andMe Replicates Over 180 Genetic Associations with Web-Based Research Platform

August 17, 2011

Novel Research Paradigm Further Validated with Over 180 Known Genetic Associations Listed by the National Human Genome Research Institute’s Replicated Using Self-Reported Medical DataMOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – August 17, 2011 – 23andMe, Inc., a leading personal genetics company has replicated over 180 genetic associations from a list of associations curated by the National Human Genome Research Institute’s Office of Population Genomics (“GWAS Catalog”) demonstrating that self-reported medical data is effective and reliable to validate known genetic associations. The results, available online in the journal PLoS ONE, establish 23andMe’s methodology as a significant research platform in a new era of genetic research.
“In this paper we confirm that self reported data from our customers has the potential to yield data of comparable quality as data gathered using traditional research methods,” stated 23andMe Chief Business Officer Ashley Dombkowski. “As the 23andMe platform has been clearly shown to replicate known genetic associations as well as discover new ones, we have established our research platform as an innovative model for genetic research which has the power to move scientific research forward faster and more cost effectively working in collaboration with academic and commercial researchers,” continued Dombkowski.
This study investigated nearly 400 previously reported genetic associations for 50 different conditions in more than 20,000 individuals of European descent. 23andMe replicated approximately 75 percent of the associations they expected to replicate, demonstrating that high quality findings of genetic associations can be derived from self-reported data. The study also provided the first independent replication for several associations.
A genetic association study on such a scale has never before been attempted however 23andMe’s innovative research platform allows researchers to simultaneously investigate hundreds of genetic factors in dozens of different diseases. This study took only about a year from start to publish.
A number of associations reported in very large meta-analyses have not been replicated because of the difficulty in assembling comparably sized cohorts of patients. There was a clear need to quickly and reliably gather retrospective phenotype information from large cohorts to validate existing associations as well as to discover new ones.
“This study demonstrates that this is a powerful method for performing genetic research,” explained Senior Scientist Joyce Tung. “The potential of 23andMe’s web-based platform is further enhanced by our ability to contact individuals multiple times and ask follow-up questions which puts us in a position to zero-in on associations.”
“This flexibility to follow GWAS outcomes with efficient and cost-effective follow-up questionnaires is the foundation for future research aimed at prevention, better treatments, and potentially cures for a multitude of diseases and conditions,” Tung concluded.
These results continue to validate 23andMe’s methodology in combining self-reported data on phenotypes gathered via web-based questionnaires and genotypic data derived from self-collected saliva samples. 23andMe had previously published its first proof-of-concept results in the journal PLoS Genetics in June 2010 which reported novel associations for unusual traits such as asparagus anosmia and photic sneeze reflex and replicated associations for other traits, and recently published discovery of two novel genetic associations for Parkinson’s disease, also in PLoS Genetics.
23andMe chose to publish its results in PLoS ONE because of the journal’s open-access policy, which allows anyone—including 23andMe customers who contributed to the research—to freely access the study. Customers will also see the results incorporated into the reports available in their online accounts over time. The online paper may be viewed at PLoS ONE.

About 23andMe

23andMe, Inc. is the leading consumer genetics and research company. Founded in 2006, the mission of the company is to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. The company was named by TIME as a “Genius Company” in 2018, and featured as Fast Company's #2 Most Innovative Health Company in 2018. 23andMe has millions of customers worldwide, with more than 80 percent of customers consented to participate in research. 23andMe, Inc. is located in Mountain View, CA. More information is available at www.23andMe.com.

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